Hesher Review

It has been a lot of movie watching lately and last night I viewed the film Hesher directed by Spencer Susser. This film is great I must say...so let me go into detail:

The story of this film revolves around a young boy named TJ who is just having a terrible life ever since his mom died in a car crash. From the start this is hinted at but not actually shown until almost the end of the film. The character of Hesher played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt comes into TJ's life after TJ breaks a window of a house Hesher is squatting in. From there Hesher just shows up in TJ's house and begins to life there along with TJ's Grandmother and Father who don't really care. The father played by Rainn Wilson is a wreck who just sleeps all day and takes pills and the Grandmother is an old matriarch who does what she can to keep things normal but throughout the film her health slowly declines. TJ meets strange characters and gets into a lot of trouble alongside of Hesher but in the end it is the worst things that happen in life that make people the best possible versions of themselves.

The technical aspects of this film are rock solid to say the least. Audio design is spot on with ambience where it needs to be and music in the perfect spots. The camera work while mainly handheld is still awesome and well placed. The cinematography is great with just subtle lighting throughout the film creating a nice effect. Also editing is just great and is used very effectively. Like I said before the technique of the film is great.

The acting again is amazing. Gordon-Levitt is amazing as Hesher, Devin Brochu as TJ is a strong young boy lead character, Rainn Wilson is on spot, and Natalie Portman adds a great soft touch to cap off an awesome cast.

My final point is the story which is poetic and destructive all leading up to an ending that will make you cry as much as it will make you laugh. It is a bittersweet movie that delivers on every cylinder. Look for the scene where the accident happens, it is the most brilliant point of the movie where amazing editing, acting, and the fact that you know what is going to happen make it so tense. That is the great thing about this movie it builds on every point made early on in the film, almost like a well built structure.

Go see it tonight!

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess